History Theatre / Matilda

* KindheartedSimpleton: Poor Michael. In the book he used to be just an ordinary kid - stupid compared to Matilda, but so was everybody. Here, he seems to be downright mentally retarded, not doing much other than lying around and repeating the last word he hears someone say. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAZozLxHvSE TELLY!]]

* DeathByChildbirth: The acrobat in Matilda's story, [[spoiler:also Miss Honey's mother]], is a variant.
She dies not because of the childbirth itself but from injuries sustained due to an accident caused by her sister, nevertheless she lives long enough to give birth.

* BrawnHilda: Miss Trunchbull. Played by a man, with a massive hunchback.

* DeathByChildbirth: The acrobat in Matilda's story and presumably [[spoiler:Miss Honey's mother.]]

TheMusical based on the Creator/RoaldDahl novel ''{{Literature/Matilda}}'', which opened in Stratford in 2010. Moved to the West End in 2011, cleaned up on every award going, and made it to Broadway in 2013. Once again we follow young [[{{Bookworm}} bookworm]] Matilda as she contends first with her appalling parents, and then with the far more terrible figure of Miss Trunchbull, monstrous ChildHater and abusive head of Crunchem Hall who intimidates pupils and teachers alike -- only this time we have the whole thing set to songs by Music/TimMinchin.

* RoleReprisal: Bertie Carvel and Lauren Ward, Miss Trunchbull and Miss Honey, respectively, originated their roles in all three productions (Stratford, West End, and Broadway). Both were nominated for an Olivier Award in 2012, with Carvel winning for Best Actor, and a Tony Award in 2013.

** Bruce Bogtrotter is now black.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: In "Miracle", Bruce notes "It's true he [my father] indulges my tendency to bulge" -- which would mean his large appetite. That tendency will get him in a lot of trouble at the end of Act One.

** When Miss Honey is assessing her reading ability, Matilda gives a long list of books she has read recently, including ''Literature/NicholasNickleby'', ''Literature/OliverTwist'', ''Literature/JaneEyre'', ''Literature/TessOfTheDurbervilles'', ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'', ''Literature/TheInvisibleMan'', ''Literature/TheSecretGarden'', ''Literature/CrimeAndPunishment'', ...and ''Literature/TheCatInTheHat''.

TheMusical based on the Creator/RoaldDahl novel ''{{Literature/Matilda}}'', which opened in Strattford in 2010. Moved to the West End in 2011, cleaned up on every award going, and made it to Broadway in 2013. Once again we follow young [[{{Bookworm}} bookworm]] Matilda as she contends first with her appalling parents, and then with the far more terrible figure of Miss Trunchbull, monstrous ChildHater and abusive head of Crunchem Hall who intimidates pupils and teachers alike -- only this time we have the whole thing set to songs by Music/TimMinchin.

TheMusical based on the Creator/RoaldDahl novel ''{{Literature/Matilda}}'', which opened in Strattford in 2010. Moved to the West End in 2011, cleaned up on every award going, and made it to Broadway in 2013. Once again we follow young [[{{Bookworm}} bookworm]] Matilda as she contends first with her appalling parents, and then with the far more terrible figure of Miss Trunchbull, monstrous ChildHater and abusive head of Crunchem Hall who intimidates pupils and teachers alike -- only this time we have the whole thing set to songs by Creator/TimMinchin.

* AbusiveParents: Possibly more neglectful than actually abusive in the Wormwoods' case; on the other hand, the abuse Miss Honey received as a child [[spoiler: from her aunt, Miss Trunchbull]] has left her terrified for life. Worse yet, everybody else's parents make a [[CrowdSong song and dance routine]] about their own little miracles.

* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler: Before the climax, the librarian narrates that there isn't a happy ending, referring to the fact Matilda is still raised by her abusive parents. Though this takes place right before Matilda does get her happy ending.]] It's possible said "unhappy ending" is [[spoiler: alludes to the fact that the Wormwoods would never really change for the better, though there's some hope for Mr. Wormwood.]]

** Also, "I'm Here" has a reprise that's a counterpoint to the final stretch of [[spoiler: "My House", as it becomes clear that the Escapologist was actually Miss Honey's father]].

* IAmSpartacus: After Lavender is made to spell a long made up word, the entire rest of the class misspells words knowing that they can't all fit in the Chokey at once. [[spoiler: Of course, the Trunchbull found a way to get around that...]]

* MeaningfulName: The musical gives this to Magnus Honey. [[spoiler: Magnus means "great", which is a common title for circus performers.]]
* MindOverMatter: Plus some limited clairvoyance this time around? Matilda knows things about [[spoiler: Miss Honey's past]] without realising it.

* TwoLinesNoWaiting: The story Matilda is telling to Ms. Phelps throughout the show? [[spoiler: It's actually Miss Honey's backstory!]]

* VillainousBreakdown: As in the book, the terrifying Miss Trunchbull ''freaks out'' when Matilda uses her powers to [[spoiler: [[ScarecrowSolution impersonate Miss Honeys dead father]], heavily implied to have been murdered by Trunchbull]]. This is the only version of the story in which she does not faint at any point, however. Instead, she is bullied off the stage by the children (and Miss Honey) in complete hysterics.

* IAmSpartacus: After Lavender is made to spell a long made up word, the entire rest of the class misspells words knowing that they can't all fit in the Chokey at once.

** When Miss Honey is assessing her reading ability, Matilda gives a long list of books she has read recently, including ''Literature/WarAndPeace'', ''Literature/OliverTwist'', ... and ''Literature/TheCatInTheHat''.

* GenkiGirl: Not in-universe but Broadway!Matilda Oona is definitely this and West End!Matilda Eleanor is to a lesser extent.

* OutOfFocus: West End!Matilda Sophia is always speaks less in interviews, compared to say Cleo. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaEUamnLwKo This]] interview highlights it and she always looks moody. In reality she is a massive sweetheart and gave up her ''Matilda'' contract because she missed her normal life, looking forward to going back to dancing and violin lessons and almost turned down the role. Plus thanking her brother and sister in her Olivier speech.

* AdultsAreUseless: Mr and Mrs Wormwood don't even care. The teachers are terrified of Miss Trunchbull. There's always the librarian in town - or if all else fails, [[spoiler:TheMafiya]].

-->My mummy says I'm a lousy little worm.\\

* BilingualBonus: Sergei has a small argument in Russian with his [[TheMafiya henchmen]] after finishing his poignant musical interlude. When he sings Matilda's name, his thugs think that he says "dah", the Russian word for "yes".
** Let's not forget that ''Matilda herself'' [[spoiler:spoke Russian to keep Sergei's henchmen from hurting her father.]]

* CanonForeigner: Rudolpho, the Acrobat and the Escapologist and the former's sister, and [[spoiler: The Mafiya; also, the Escapologist, the Acrobat and her sister are subversions. They are actually Miss Honey's parents and and Trunchbull, respectively]].

* ChairReveal: Miss Trunchbull.

-->'''Trunchbull:''' ''[[ThereAreTwoKindsOfPeopleInTheWorld In this world, children, there are two types of human being]]. The winners and the losers. I am a winner. [[MotiveRant I play by the rules, and I win]]. If I play by the rules and . . . I do not win, then something is wrong. Something is not working. If something is wrong, [[IronicEcho you have to put it right]]. Even if it screams.''

* IAmSpartacus: After Lavender is mad to spell a long made up word, the entire rest of the class misspells words knowing that they can't all fit in the Chokey at once.

* NoFourthWall: Lavender, on occasion, and Bruce when Miss Trunchbull blames Matilda for stealing her chocolate cake. Also Mr Wormwood in "Telly".

* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: As Matilda sings "Quiet", Miss Trunchbull launches into a lengthy, vicious tirade after the former defends Eric against her physical bullying. Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood also have their moments.

* ShoutOut: To another Roald Dahl work, in the climactic song "Revolting Children": "We are revolting children, living in revolting times/We sing revolting songs, using [[Literature/RevoltingRhymes revolting rhymes]]...

* KindheartedSimpleton: Poor Michael. In the book he used to be just an ordinary kid - stupid compared to Matilda, but so was everybody. Now he's gone full idiot. He's still no villain, though; he doesn't seem to have the capacity. Mr and Mrs Wormwood's anti-intellectual world of loud noises and bright colours suits him just fine. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAZozLxHvSE TELLY!]]

* AbusiveParents: Possibly more neglectful than actually abusive in the Wormwoods' case; on the other hand, the abuse Miss Honey received as a child has left her terrified for life. Worse yet, everybody else's parents make a [[CrowdSong song and dance routine]] about their own little miracles.

* BiggerOnTheInside: The kids ponder Bruce's ability to down that massive cake with the lyrics "Or maybe your largeness/Is like the [[Series/DoctorWho TARDIS]]:/Considerably roomier inside."

** Or maybe because your largeness/is like a [[Series/DoctorWho TARDIS]]

* AdaptationalAttractiveness: Bruce Bogtrotter may or may not be overweight depending on the child actor who plays him, but is rarely as heavy as he is in the book and 1996 film

* AdaptationalAttractiveness: Bruce Bogtrotter is, in most versions, completely different-looking from how he was described in the book and depicted in the film, and is no longer overweight.